Antislipping device for canes, crutches, etc.



L 1950 E. G. HANSEN 2,517,203

ANTISLIPPING DEVICE FOR CANES, CRUTCHES, ETC

Filed Feb. 11, 1945 5mm 6. Hmsm INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. l,

AN TISLIPPING DEVICE FOR CAN ES, CRUTCHES, ETC.

Earl G. Hansen, Iowa Falls, Iowa Application February 11, 1948, Serial No. 7,613

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an anti-slipping device for attachment to canes, crutches and the like.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient device of the above kind which may readily be installed, and which includes an anti-slipping element that can be quickly adjusted to a lowered active position or to a raised inactive position, and means to automatically hold said element in either of said positions to which the latter may be adjusted.

The exact nature of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view showing a device embodying the present invention installed on the shank of a crutch or cane, with the anti-slipping element in an active position;

Figure 2 is a view somewhat similar to Figure l, with the element in an inactive position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan View of the construction as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 indicates the shank of a cane, crutch or the like, and 5 indicates the usual resilient cap or cup-like tip member provided on the lower end of said shank.

The present anti-slipping device includes an anti-slipping element I hinged at one end to a clamp 8, by means of which said element is mounted on the shank 5. The element 1 consists of a rigid elongated plate 9 provided at its lower end with a right angular extension I carrying 2. depending spur II, and formed at its upper end with a hinge knuckle I2. Intermediate its ends, the plate 9 is formed at one side edge thereof with an ear I3. Spur II has a head II adapted to engage in a recess of or to press into the bottom of the tip member 6 as shown in Figure 4, so as to hold the element I in its active position.

The clamp 8 comprises a pair of spaced clamping arms I4 having corresponding ends thereof connected by a headed hinge pin I5, and having their other ends adjustably connected by a clamping bolt I6 having a nut I'I threaded thereon and provided with an eye head I8. The hinge knuckle l2 of plate 9 is pivotally disposed on the pin I between the clamping arms I4 to hingedly connect said plate 9 to the clamp. A helical tension spring I9 is attached at one end to the ear [3 and at the other end to the eye head I8 of bolt I6.

In use, the device is clamped 0n the shank 5 as shown, so that when the element 1 is swung downwardly to active position as shown in Figures l and 4, the extension II] is disposed directly beneath the tip member 6, so that the spur II will act to prevent slipping. When the device is not needed, the element 1 may be swung upwardly against the shank as shown in Figure 2. When the element. 5 is swung to either position, the spring I9 moves past the hinge pin I5 and acts to yieldingly hold the element 1 in the position to which it has been swung without the aid of any fastening or latching device.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. Modifications and changes in details of construction are contemplated, such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

l. The combination with the shank of a crutch or the like, of a clamp secured on and embracing the shank, an anti-slipping element pivoted directly to the clamp at one side of the shank and swingable between raised inactive and lowered active positions, and a spring connecting the antislipping element with the clamp so as to automatically hold said element in either of said positions when moved from either position to the other, said anti-slipping element having a part movable below the shank when moved to active position, the pivot of said element being disposed transversely of the shank at said one side of the latter.

2. The combination with the shank of a crutch or the like, of a clamp secured on and embracing the shank, an anti-slipping element directly pivoted at one end to the clamp at one side of the shank for vertical swinging movement between raised inactive and lowered active positions, and a tension spring connecting the anti-slipping element with the clamp and movable past the ivot axis of the anti-slipping element when the latter is moved from either position to the other for automatically holding the anti-slipping element in either position to which it is moved, the pivot of said element being disposed transversely of the shank at said one side of the latter.

3. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said anti-slipping element comprises a rigid elongated plate provided at its lower end with a rigid right angular extension movable beneath the lower end of the shank and provided with a depending spur.

4. The construction defined in claim 2, wherein said anti-slipping element comprises a rigid elongated plate provided at its lower end with a rigid right angular extension movable beneath the lower end of the shank and provided with a depending spur, said clamp comprising a pair of spaced clamping arms having corresponding ends connected by a headed hinge pin on which the anti-slipping element is hingedat one end, and,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,031,247 Conrad July 2, 1912 2,178,718 Christensen Nov. 7, 1939 2,277,283 Wallace Mar. 24, 1942 

